Ever received an invitation that felt a little… flimsy? Maybe it was for a special party or a big event. Sometimes, the paper it’s printed on can make a huge difference in how special it feels. Choosing the right thickness, or “GSM,” for your invitations can be tricky. It’s like picking out the perfect outfit for a party – you want it to look and feel just right!
Many people get confused when they see all the different GSM numbers. Does a higher number mean it’s better? Is a thin paper okay for important announcements? These questions can make picking invitations feel like a puzzle. You want your invitations to be sturdy, look professional, and make a great first impression. But with so many choices, it’s easy to feel lost.
Don’t worry! This blog post is here to help. We’ll break down what GSM really means for invitations. You’ll learn how to pick the perfect paper weight so your invitations feel just as special as the event itself. Get ready to discover how the right GSM can make your invitations shine!
Our Top 5 Gsm For Invitations Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Gsm For Invitations Detailed Reviews
1. GSM Brands Invitations for Birthday Party – 20 Cards with Envelopes
Rating: 9.1/10
Planning a birthday party just got a whole lot easier and more charming with the GSM Brands Invitations for Birthday Party. This set includes 20 fill-in-the-blank invitations and matching envelopes, ready for you to add your personal touch.
What We Like:
- The fill-in-the-blank style lets you personalize each invitation with your own handwriting, making them feel extra special.
- Each set comes with 20 invitations and 20 matching envelopes. The envelopes are decorated with cute polka dots!
- The invitations are a standard 5″ x 7″ size, so they’ll fit perfectly into the included A7 envelopes and mail for the regular postage price.
- Bright and colorful illustrations make these invites stand out. You won’t find these unique designs anywhere else.
- They are made from high-quality, thick 300 gsm cardstock, which feels sturdy and looks professional. The back design adds a cool extra detail.
- Handwritten party details on these classy invitations will surely impress your guests and show them how much you care.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the fill-in-the-blank style is great for personalization, some people might prefer pre-printed wording for faster invitations.
- The exclusive designs are wonderful, but a wider variety of themes or styles might appeal to an even broader audience.
These GSM Brands invitations are a fantastic way to set the tone for a memorable birthday celebration. They offer a beautiful blend of personal customization and premium quality.
2. 94 Pack Pre-Folded Vellum Jackets for 5×7 Invitations – 93 GSM Translucent Vellum Paper Sleeves
Rating: 8.6/10
Elevate your special event invitations with this 94-pack of pre-folded vellum jackets. Designed for 5×7 invitations, these translucent sleeves add a touch of elegance and sophistication without any fuss. They’re perfect for making your announcements truly memorable.
What We Like:
- Super easy to use: They come pre-folded, so you just slide your 5×7 invitation right in. No extra work needed!
- High quality: Made from 93 GSM vellum paper, these jackets feel smooth and sturdy. They won’t easily rip or bend.
- Beautiful translucent look: The vellum paper has a subtle texture that looks lovely and makes your invitations stand out.
- DIY friendly: You can easily decorate them with ribbons or wax seals to create a truly unique look for your invites.
- Versatile for any event: Great for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and any party where you want to impress your guests.
What Could Be Improved:
- Limited quantity for very large events: While 94 is a good amount, if you’re planning a massive celebration, you might need to order more.
These vellum jackets are a simple yet effective way to make your invitations look stunning. They’re a fantastic choice for adding a special touch to any announcement.
3. 110lb White Cardstock 8.5×11
Rating: 8.6/10
Looking for sturdy, high-quality paper for your next project? The Goefun 110lb White Cardstock is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves to create. This heavyweight cardstock measures 8.5×11 inches and comes in a pack of 100 sheets. It’s perfect for making invitations, menus, posters, and all sorts of DIY crafts.
What We Like:
- This cardstock is really thick at 110lb (300 gsm) and 14pt. It feels strong and won’t bend or tear easily.
- It has a smooth matte finish that looks professional.
- The paper is double-sided, so you can use both sides.
- It holds creases well, making it great for folding and embossing.
- This cardstock works perfectly with Cricut machines.
- It’s made from FSC-certified paper, which is good for the environment.
- The colors stay bright and don’t fade over time.
- It’s ideal for many uses like business cards, awards, and even resumes.
What Could Be Improved:
- Because it’s so thick, you need to make sure your printer can handle heavy paper. Not all printers can feed cardstock this heavy.
This Goefun cardstock is a reliable and versatile option for all your creative needs. It’s built to last and will help your projects look their best.
4. 5X7 Metallic White Shimmer 80 Sheets Blank Card Stock Printer Paper Pearlescent Index Cards Flat 250 gsm for Invitations
Rating: 9.0/10
Elevate your creative projects with this stunning 5×7 Metallic White Shimmer Card Stock. Its pearlescent finish adds a touch of magic, perfect for invitations, postcards, and all your card-making adventures. This paper is designed to make your creations shine!
What We Like:
- The double-sided pearlized finish is beautiful. It gives projects an elegant, lustrous shine.
- The paper is thick and strong at 250gsm. It won’t bend or tear easily, making it great for crafting.
- The 5×7 inch size is perfect for most printers and cutting machines. It’s also easy to cut for custom sizes.
- It’s very versatile! Use it for invitations, scrapbooking, gift tags, and decorations for parties or holidays.
- You can choose from different pack sizes, so you get just the right amount of paper for your needs.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the shimmer is lovely, it might be too much for very minimalist designs.
- The pearlescent finish could potentially show fingerprints if handled extensively before crafting.
This card stock is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add a special touch to their handmade items. It offers both beauty and quality for all your crafting endeavors.
5. Card Stock Paper – 5×7 In White
Rating: 8.7/10
Get ready to unleash your creativity with this Card Stock Paper! It’s a fantastic 5×7 inch white cardstock, with 200 sheets in each pack. This paper is super strong, weighing in at 300 GSM, which is like 110 lb cardstock. It’s perfect for making all sorts of things, from wedding invitations to fun flashcards and even your favorite recipes.
What We Like:
- It’s a Back-to-School essential! Students and teachers can use it for cool greeting cards, invitations, and school projects. It’s ready for the 2025 school year.
- It’s a super versatile crafting material. Use it for wedding invitation details, making recipe cards, or anything else you can dream up. It even works with most inkjet printers.
- This card paper is really durable. The 300gsm heavyweight cardstock is great for cutting, folding, and gluing. It’s built to last and looks professional.
- The 5×7 inch size is just right. It’s perfect for writing, making photo collages, or creating custom cards like thank you, get well soon, and congratulations cards.
- You get a lot of paper! The 200 sheets in this bulk set give you plenty of material for many projects, DIY invitations, or postcards. Your creative ideas will have room to grow.
What Could Be Improved:
- The paper is a matte white. While versatile, it might not be ideal if you’re looking for a glossy finish for certain projects.
- While it’s great for most inkjet printers, users with specific or older printer models might want to double-check compatibility before buying.
This cardstock offers excellent value and endless possibilities for your creative endeavors. It’s a reliable and generous choice for any project.
Choosing the Best GSM for Your Invitations: A Buyer’s Guide
When you’re planning a special event, your invitations set the tone. You want them to feel special and look amazing. One of the most important things to consider is the GSM of the paper. GSM stands for grams per square meter. It tells you how thick and heavy the paper is.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for invitation paper, keep these key features in mind:
- Weight (GSM): This is the most important feature. Heavier paper feels more luxurious and durable.
- Texture: Some papers are smooth, while others have a slight texture. Texture can add a unique feel to your invitations.
- Color: Invitations come in many colors. Think about your event’s theme.
- Finish: Does the paper have a matte, glossy, or satin finish? This affects how the ink looks.
Important Materials
Most invitation paper is made from wood pulp. However, some specialty papers are made from cotton or recycled materials.
- Wood Pulp: This is the most common material. It’s affordable and works well.
- Cotton: Cotton paper is very strong and has a soft, luxurious feel. It’s a premium option.
- Recycled Materials: These papers are good for the environment. They can sometimes have a slightly different look or feel.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The GSM of the paper greatly impacts its quality.
- Higher GSM = Better Quality: Thicker paper feels more substantial. It doesn’t bend easily. It also makes colors look richer. High-quality invitations often use paper that is 250 GSM or higher.
- Lower GSM = Lower Quality: Thin paper can feel flimsy. It might show through or get damaged easily. Invitations printed on thin paper might not impress your guests.
User Experience and Use Cases
The GSM you choose affects how your guests experience your invitations.
- For Formal Events (Weddings, Galas): You’ll want thick, heavy paper. Think 300 GSM or even 350 GSM. This makes your invitations feel very special and elegant. Guests will notice the quality right away.
- For Casual Events (Birthday Parties, Showers): You can use slightly lighter paper, like 200-250 GSM. It still looks good but is more budget-friendly.
- For Special Finishes (Foil Stamping, Embossing): Thicker paper holds these special printing techniques better. It prevents the paper from tearing or looking creased.
Frequently Asked Questions about Invitation GSM
Q: What is the best GSM for wedding invitations?
A: For wedding invitations, we recommend a GSM of 250 or higher. Many couples prefer 300-350 GSM for a truly luxurious feel. This thick paper shows off your design beautifully and feels substantial in your guests’ hands.
Q: Is 120 GSM paper too thin for invitations?
A: Yes, 120 GSM is generally too thin for most invitations. It can feel flimsy and may not hold up well to handling or printing. It’s more suitable for things like flyers or brochures.
Q: How does GSM affect the printing process?
A: Thicker paper (higher GSM) can sometimes be a bit harder for some home printers to handle. However, professional printers can easily work with a wide range of GSMs. For special printing like foil stamping, thicker paper is usually better.
Q: Can I use different GSM papers for different parts of my invitation suite?
A: You certainly can! For example, you might use a heavier GSM for the main invitation card and a slightly lighter, but still good quality, GSM for RSVP cards or envelopes.
Q: What GSM is considered “cardstock”?
A: Cardstock typically starts around 170 GSM and goes up from there. So, anything from 170 GSM and above can be considered cardstock, with higher numbers meaning thicker and heavier cardstock.
Q: Does a higher GSM mean the paper is brighter?
A: Not necessarily. The brightness of the paper is determined by its bleaching process and any added optical brighteners, not its weight. You can find bright white paper in various GSMs.
Q: What’s the difference between GSM and point weight?
A: GSM measures the weight of the paper per square meter. Point weight measures the thickness of the paper in thousandths of an inch. While related, GSM is the more common way to describe invitation paper weight.
Q: How can I feel the difference in GSM before buying?
A: Many paper companies offer sample packs. These are a great way to touch and feel different GSM weights and textures before committing to a large order.
Q: Are there any downsides to using very high GSM paper?
A: Very high GSM paper can be more expensive. It also adds weight, which could increase postage costs for mailing invitations. For most events, 250-350 GSM strikes a good balance.
Q: What is a good GSM for invitations that I plan to decorate myself?
A: If you plan to add embellishments like ribbons, wax seals, or glitter, a higher GSM (250+) is a good idea. This sturdy paper can handle the extra weight and decorations without bending or tearing.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Robert Contreras, a passionate archery instructor based in the USA. With years of experience under my belt, I’ve dedicated my life to mastering the art of archery and sharing its intricacies with enthusiasts of all levels. Through my website, 10Bows.com, I invite you to explore a treasure trove of tips, techniques, and personal insights that reflect my journey in the world of archery. Whether you’re picking up a bow for the first time or refining your skills, I’m here to help guide you toward precision, focus, and a deeper appreciation for this timeless sport.